Foxconn rumored to manufacture Apple tablet for Q1 2010

[AppleInsider]

Foxconn, the Taiwan-based electronics manufacturer who has partnered with Apple on numerous products, is now rumored to have secured the production of Apple's anticipated tablet device.

DigiTimes reported Wednesday morning that Foxconn, the trade name of Hon Hai Precision Industry, will be the manufacturer for the device, citing "market sources." The device is expected to be for sale in the first quarter of 2010, with an alleged initial shipment of 300,000 to 400,000 devices. No price was given.

"The sources indicated they believe the tablet PC features will focus more on e-book functionality rather than music, and that based on Apple's marketing strategy, long battery life, quick Internet connectivity and an easy-to-use user interface will be key features of the device," the report said.

It also claimed that the device will sport a 10.6-inch display, and offered speculation that Foxconn would obtain panels for the tablet from its subsidiary, Innolux Display.

As Apple reportedly prepares to launch its own tablet, other hardware makers are allegedly doing the same as well. The report said that sources expect HP and other computer manufacturers to debut their own tablet-style touchscreen devices soon after, in the second quarter of 2010.

The report corroborates what sources have told AppleInsider -- that the still-unseen device will debut in the first quarter of 2010. The 10-inch, 3G-enabled device is believed to run on a custom chip from P.A. Semi.

The information regarding marketing the tablet as an e-reader would seem to bolster recent reports that Apple has reached out to publishers and gained their interest in reproducing content on the device.

Foxconn and Apple made headlines this summer, after a prototype 4G iPhone went missing from one of the company's factories. After an employee was questioned about the matter, he reportedly committed suicide.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[sandau]

faust!


well, just like 2003, same story, no?

[Takeo]

I remain unconvinced that this thing has a compelling purpose in life. The form factor would be nice for reading... but will people pay for magazine content I wonder? Most magazines have websites. We'll see I guess. At the very least... if it's a Kindle Killer... no one will do it better than Apple. But I sure hope it's more than that. Also, I think a true reader device should use eInk.

By the way... what is the appeal of posting first? I'll never understand that.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Takeo

I remain unconvinced that this thing has a compelling purpose in life. The form factor would be nice for reading... but will people pay for magazine content I wonder? Most magazines have websites. We'll see I guess. At the very least... if it's a Kindle Killer... no one will do it better than Apple. But I sure hope it's more than that. Also, I think a true reader device should use eInk.

By the way... what is the appeal of posting first? I'll never understand that.

I could be wrong but I suspect SJ is going to do to publishing what he did to music. The iTunes ecosystem will become the place to get a magazine or a book if he does. No doubt at first to be laughed at and scorned just as the early days his forays into trying to enter the music business were. Time will tell.

[Dreadkid08]

I think they should just make the macbook pro a convertible notebook to tablet device

[Doxxic]

I have a strong feeling that e-reading is *not* going to be the main selling point. Is the Kindle that much of a success? Would anyone buy a tablet for that?

I think the inquiries among eReader publishers may be real, but are meant partly as a decoy flare for the rest of the tablet computing industry. Or rather, gaming industry.

Because if you ask me, the tablet will be another sneak attack at the mobile gaming market.

Apple's acceptance of Flash as a stand-alone environment fits in that picture. This way, they may easily have lots and lots of free games for their device right away.


We should remember that the public conception of what the iPhone is, went through 3 stages:
1: Smartphone with iPod (expectation)
2: Surprisingly good internet browser (told by Apple)
3: Applications and gaming platform (surprise)

Just like that, the public conception of an Apple tablet could go through several phases. This is a possibility:
1: 10" iPod Touch, for music, gaming, web browsing and apps (expectation)
2: eReader (told by Apple)
3: Pretty good Mac (surprise)

[djsherly]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

I could be wrong but I suspect SJ is going to do to publishing what he did to music. The iTunes ecosystem will become the place to get a magazine or a book if he does. No doubt at first to be laughed at and scorned just as the early days his forays into trying to enter the music business were. Time will tell.

I think the issue here was nailed a few posts ago. What will compel people to pay for content which they can already get free?

Sure, mp3 can be gotten for "free", but reasonable quality magazine content is actually available now, legally, for nothing. That requires a slightly different approach to what has worked in the past with respect to musical content. Not only do you have to convince people to use this device to get content, but also convince people to pay for it. Perhaps this is where offshoots of the iTunes LP paradigm come in, rejigged for a magazine format.

[Quadra 610]

No one knows anything concrete about this tablet.

Chances are, when it's unveiled, we'll all end up wanting one.

But underestimating Apple is fun, isn't it?

[Roc Ingersol]

Originally Posted by Dreadkid08

I think they should just make the macbook pro a convertible notebook to tablet device

I love the stylus as an optional input device, but as a primary interface device it's terrible. Anyone who doesn't absolutely need pen-drawing and handwriting recognition avoids convertible tablets for damn good reason.

It should be its own device and live or die on its own merits.

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by Takeo

I remain unconvinced that this thing has a compelling purpose in life. The form factor would be nice for reading... but will people pay for magazine content I wonder? Most magazines have websites. We'll see I guess. At the very least... if it's a Kindle Killer... no one will do it better than Apple. But I sure hope it's more than that. Also, I think a true reader device should use eInk.

By the way... what is the appeal of posting first? I'll never understand that.

Steve Jobs: "I'm thrilled today to announce that Apple is not revealing not one, but three amazing new products."
"First a revolutionary new eBook." (iTunes for PDF books)
"Second a breakthrough location based computing device" (Mapping software based on Placebase)
"Third, an amazing mobile productivity tool" (iWork tablet edition)

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Takeo

I think a true reader device should use eInk.

Couldn't agree more. Actually personally I think the display this device really needs hasn't been invented yet. Colored e-ink with as good response times and color to OLED.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

I could be wrong but I suspect SJ is going to do to publishing what he did to music.

You mean he'll do to magazine and newspaper websites what he did to podcasts. Create the market.

Originally Posted by Doxxic

Just like that, the public conception of an Apple tablet could go through several phases. This is a possibility:
1: 10" iPod Touch, for music, gaming, web browsing and apps (expectation)
2: eReader (told by Apple)
3: Pretty good Mac (surprise)

1. 10" ultra-portable Mac with an industry changing user interface. (reason)
2. Modern digital content companion. (digital magazines and digital newspapers etc.) (conscious additional application, via iTunes and Apple mag-API.)
3. Excellent games machine (surprise).

Could you imagine Scrabble® on this thing? Spellings would automatically be checked, no one could cheat, and putting away the game would simply require one of two taps. The irony of all this is I'm listening to Ray Charles in the background right now.

[bobmarleypeople]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I won't be getting one of these unless it runs either the full Mac OS X operating system, or allows custom codecs to play the more modern video files about (namely Matroska files). I am NOT going to re-encode my videos to run on the device, thus why I haven't bought an iPod yet.

[Daniel B]

If it's a 3G device, which I strongly believe, FCC approval would be required, right? An early2010 market launch would then mean that Apple has to announce the tablet any day now.

OK, I'm holding my breath until they annouce it.

/Daniel

[Roc Ingersol]

Originally Posted by Ireland

Colored e-ink with as good response times and color to OLED.

At that point it's easier just to say "this device shouldn't exist".

Luckily, it won't be, or be sold as primarily being, an eReader. So the lack of eInk won't be a problem and the ability to actually show color, animation and video will be there.

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by Takeo

I remain unconvinced that this thing has a compelling purpose in life. The form factor would be nice for reading... but will people pay for magazine content I wonder? Most magazines have websites. We'll see I guess. At the very least... if it's a Kindle Killer... no one will do it better than Apple. But I sure hope it's more than that. Also, I think a true reader device should use eInk.

What if the tablet had 12-15 hours of battery life for watching videos or playing games, and much more than that for reading or listening to music? Remember it'll have instant-on like the iPhone, and run the iPhone apps. And it'll probably have touch-based Pages and Numbers variants.

If these new "magazines" are more interactive like the iTunes LP material (and not just a rehash of a website article), I think people would pay $.99 at a time. But there won't be enough paying people to keep the newspaper/magazine industry the way it is today.

[camroidv27]

Foxconn... where have I heard that company before...
When I opened my old MBP, I noticed that the motherboard had the Foxconn label stamped on it all small like. There was an Apple logo too, but it said "Designed by Apple". I open my PC, and there is a Foxconn motherboard.

Anyhow, I figured Apple would use them.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Dreadkid08

I think they should just make the macbook pro a convertible notebook to tablet device

IMHO the point of the tablet will be to run a slightly different OS X ... more of an expanded iPhone OS not the traditional Mac OS X. Thus it will be a very different piece of hardware from any MacBook. We will have to wait and see but that is my take. I suspect as I mentioned before, it will be, over time, fundamental in altering the publishing industry just as iPods and iTunes altered the music industry.

[souliisoul]

Originally Posted by digitalclips

I could be wrong but I suspect SJ is going to do to publishing what he did to music. The iTunes ecosystem will become the place to get a magazine or a book if he does. No doubt at first to be laughed at and scorned just as the early days his forays into trying to enter the music business were. Time will tell.

I agree with your comments, at least that what I looking for, since iTunes I have not bought a physical CD for long time. I love reading and physical books are becoming hard to store and keep. Amazon Kindle looks promising, BUT it is not launched in India. Even if the Apple tablet is not launched in India (which very much doubt it would not be), I would go to USA or Australia and buy one, since I could store all my books and not worry about space. Since it is internet based and my iTunes account is located in US (never gave up my credit card/bank account), I would still be able to buy my favourite books.

With a nice 10" screen, it would be worth the money and I could probably do lot more than just reading books, which Kindle, I think is not worth its price tag.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Doxxic

I have a strong feeling that e-reading is *not* going to be the main selling point.

You're right, the UX will be what sells it.

[digitalclips]

Originally Posted by Ireland

You mean he'll do to magazine and newspaper websites what he did to podcasts. Create the market.

Kind of, that's my guess. I think, just as SJ went to the music titans and persuaded them to embrace downloading music from iTunes, he is already out there doing that to publishing companies. Nothing is new, there was plenty of downloading going on before Apple's iTunes obviously, it was SJ's overall eco system that changed everything and remember Apple are now #1 in that field. So I am suggesting the same for magazines and newspapers and books. I simply can't see SJ putting out a revolutionary piece of hardware without the need for it. He will create the need with the new publishing paradigm ... this is what i am suggesting.

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by Doxxic

We should remember that the public conception of what the iPhone is, went through 3 stages:
1: Smartphone with iPod (expectation)
2: Surprisingly good internet browser (told by Apple)
3: Applications and gaming platform (surprise)

Just like that, the public conception of an Apple tablet could go through several phases. This is a possibility:
1: 10" iPod Touch, for music, gaming, web browsing and apps (expectation)
2: eReader (told by Apple)
3: Pretty good Mac (surprise)

Good insight and agree with most of what you said, but it won't be a Mac, in the sense that apps like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro or even Garageband won't run on it, and apps using the Mac user interface won't run on it. The PA Semi or ARM chip just isn't powerful enough to make that software responsive. And forcing keyboard-mouse-based apps into the tablet won't be a good user experience.

But it will be a "Mac", in the sense that there will be touch-based lighter versions of apps like Pages and Numbers. Apple is going to create still another platform for software developers.

[diamondgeeza]

Originally Posted by souliisoul

I agree with your comments, at least that what I looking for, since iTunes I have not bought a physical CD for long time. I love reading and physical books are becoming hard to store and keep. Amazon Kindle looks promising, BUT it is not launched in India. Even if the Apple tablet is not launched in India (which very much doubt it would not be), I would go to USA or Australia and buy one, since I could store all my books and not worry about space. Since it is internet based and my iTunes account is located in US (never gave up my credit card/bank account), I would still be able to buy my favourite books.

With a nice 10" screen, it would be worth the money and I could probably do lot more than just reading books, which Kindle, I think is not worth its price tag.

If kindle supported pdf I would probably buy one for scientific journals and books. I would rather read fiction etc from paper however. The abiliy to add notes etc to pdfs on a little tablet that could also, say, give a keynote presentation or whatever could be great. Of course i know us scientists are a tiny market and no ones cares about us :P

[mark2005]

Originally Posted by Daniel B

If it's a 3G device, which I strongly believe, FCC approval would be required, right? An early2010 market launch would then mean that Apple has to announce the tablet any day now.

OK, I'm holding my breath until they annouce it.

/Daniel

The rumor was that Apple would announce it in January but not deliver it until late spring. This might be primarily because of FCC approval. But it could also point to a new software platform and Apple giving developers time to write apps for it.

[Fonejacker]

My credit card is ready and waiting. Come on January 2010. Gimme, gimme an Apple Tablet.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Roc Ingersol

At that point it's easier just to say "this device shouldn't exist".

Luckily, it won't be, or be sold as primarily being, an eReader. So the lack of eInk won't be a problem and the ability to actually show color, animation and video will be there.

Good point. Your first one, and your second one.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by djsherly

I think the issue here was nailed a few posts ago. What will compel people to pay for content which they can already get free?

You're missing the most obvious thing. They may be free!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Fonejacker

My credit card is ready and waiting. Come on January 2010. Gimme, gimme an Apple Tablet.

Just don't whine come April when it drops $200 and gets a faster chip.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by bobmarleypeople

I am NOT going to re-encode my videos to run on the device, thus why I haven't bought an iPod yet.

You don't have an iPod? So you're the one.

[teckstud]

The Goreing of the Apple.

Has Al Gore, Apple's resident environmentalist, ever spoken out on this? :

Foxconn and Apple made headlines this summer, after a prototype 4G iPhone went missing from one of the company's factories. After an employee was questioned about the matter, he reportedly committed suicide.

[allblue]

Originally Posted by Ireland

Could you imagine Scrabble® on this thing? Spellings would automatically be checked, no one could cheat, and putting away the game would simply require one of two taps. The irony of all this is I'm listening to Ray Charles in the background right now.

I think you are underestimating the deviousness of the uber-competitive Scrabble player - it's a war goddammit! Someone will come up with a hack - three taps to show you all possible words for your letters; double two-finger tap to show you all your opponents letters... a whole new cottage industry could be born - Scrabble cheat software!

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by teckstud

The Goreing of the Apple.

Has Al Gore, Apple's resident environmentalist, ever spoken out on this? :

What are suggesting. They recycle the body?

I'm serious. What in the name of God has this to do with Al Gore. Even Apple the company cannot be held responsible for someone killing themself. The Hong Kong company should be held responsible, if not the guy who killed himself.

[djsherly]

Originally Posted by Ireland

You're missing the most obvious thing. They may be free!

True that, but what does a publisher gain from putting on this tablet device that they don't get from simply publishing to the web proper? The article suggests a sub million initial production run. That kind of world wide readership isn't going to set hearts ablaze, particularly when you're talking 'free'.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by allblue

I think you are underestimating the deviousness of the uber-competitive Scrabble player - it's a war goddammit! Someone will come up with a hack - three taps to show you all possible words for your letters; double two-finger tap to show you all your opponents letters... a whole new cottage industry could be born - Scrabble cheat software!

I forgot to mention, the tablet would be the board and the bag, the iPhone of iPod touch would be the letter tray. If could be fun!

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by Ireland

What are suggesting. They recycle the body?

I'm serious. What in the name of God has this to do with Al Gore. Even Apple the company cannot be held responsible for someone killing themself. The Hong Kong company should be held responsible, if not the guy who killed himself.

Our souls ( corrected karmas ) are recycled according to Budhist philosophy.
Speaking out for human rights should come before environmental rights.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by djsherly

True that, but what does a publisher gain from putting on this tablet device that they don't get from simply publishing to the web proper?

A richer, more compelling product that people may want to read the whole way through. Which nobody does with websites. Longer viewing per user, more intimately with ads even. Apple may not even allow Flash on this device.

Originally Posted by djsherly

The article suggests a sub million initial production run. That kind of world wide readership isn't going to set hearts ablaze, particularly when you're talking 'free'.

The may be wrong about that number. And an initial run doesn't mean they won't be on the ready to ramp up another few million units if the product takes off, which they will be, and which may well happen.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Human rights should come before environmental rights.

You never answered my question: what has this do to with Al Gore? Or even Apple for that matter.

[Quadra 610]

Originally Posted by Ireland

You never answered my question: what has this do to with Al Gore? Or even Apple for that matter.

I think he meant to post in the other thread.

[Abster2core]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Our souls are recycled according to Budhist philosophy.
Speaking out for human rights should come before environmental rights.

Teckstud, unfortunately there are laws that prohibit us from or openly thinking about burying you in a green plastic bag.

[nondual]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Our souls are recycled according to Budhist philosophy.
Speaking out for human rights should come before environmental rights.

Buddhists don't believe in a 'soul'. Anatman - look it up. Hindus believe in a soul that reincarnates.

Buddhists believe in the rebirth of karma - not of souls.